nerdai/llm-agents-from-scratch/hailstone-sequence

Hailstone Sequence

Compute the full Hailstone (Collatz) sequence from a starting number down to 1 using the next_number tool.

Arguments

The user must provide a starting number (a positive integer greater than 1).

If no starting number is given, ask the user before proceeding.

Steps

1. Initialize

Set the current number x to the starting number provided by the user.

Begin tracking the sequence as a list: [x].

2. Call the tool

Call next_number with the current value of x.

next_number(x=<current_number>)

STOP and WAIT for the tool result before continuing.

3. Record the result

Append the returned value to the sequence list.

Set x to the returned value.

4. Check termination

• If x == 1, proceed to Step 5.
• Otherwise, go back to Step 2.

Important rules:

• NEVER fabricate or simulate tool call results.
• NEVER make multiple tool calls in a single response.
• ALWAYS wait for the actual tool response before deciding next steps.

5. Report the result

Print the complete sequence from start to finish, for example:

6 → 3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1

Also report:

• Starting number
• Total steps taken (number of tool calls made)
• Maximum value reached in the sequence